Shower Thoughts: It’s adorable we thought 2016 was a terrible year because about 40 famous people died.
People are comparing 2020 to other years. Is this the worst? Maybe. On a global scale, I would have to say “YES.” The economic damage worldwide is like nothing we’ve seen. The extreme pressures on a household to survive AND keep healthy is felt on every block.
Last week I took the COVID-19 test. It came back negative. I work with tenants, some of who are high risk for the virus. Whatcom County has opened up testing for workers like myself. After announcing the results, a co-worker mentions, “you are negative as of last Wednesday.” Gulp! What the heck? We’d need to be tested every day or week? Wait, is there a Fit-bit app for this? The antibody blood test is what I am really interested in. I’ve met many people, who, like myself, suspect that they had the virus between the months of January-March before the lockdown began.
Lockdown fatigue is noticeable. Irritability leading to miscommunication is not uncommon especially with email messages, even video meetings. I like the philosophy that it is a time of grace and space. To give it out quickly and in love, to the folks we interact with. Everyone’s situation is different. It is easy for me to imagine that a small percentage of my neighbors have 3 to 6 months worth of monthly income saved up in the bank. Desperate times. The weight is too much to bear.
I wrote this poem three years ago. Thinking about it today, looking at my “Apocalypse Shelf”
Apocalypse Pantry
by Shannon P. Laws
I have found the warm caves in the woods
filled them with boxes of mac n’ cheese
tuna fish cans and cheap scented candles
Innumerable goods
A possessed witch is misunderstood
no matter how frugal
I am such a witch
waved my nude arms at the townspeople
walked the streets, survived the shrinking dollar
I have been her kind
Here is my current mood expressed by meme. Take care and be kind. -Shannon
shannon p. laws 